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Paige was born on Sept. 21, 1970, at Travis Air Force Base, Vacaville, Cali., to the late Dr. Steven Thomas and Cheryl Thomas-Miller, both of York. Siblings and their spouses include: Christopher and Amy Thomas of Kailua, Hawaii; Alexis Thomas and Russell Parrish of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Whitney and John Sojka of Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Before embarking on a long career of service with the American Red Cross in 2002, Paige was the director of the PEO Chapter House in Colorado Springs, Colo. Thereafter, Paige gave her all to the mission of the Red Cross for over 10 years.
From running a small local chapter, to providing services as a solutions manager (traveling all over the states), to landing in Syracuse, N.Y. in 2011 to serve as a Chief Operating Officer, she took on the needs of every community she touched with passion and zeal. She recently undertook the relocation of the regional chapter in Syracuse, N.Y., which includes a central “showcase gallery.”
The Gallery’s furnishings and finishes all speak to Paige’s colorful creativity and bravery, mixing modern elements with traditional art deco form. This gallery has been named “The Paige Thomas Gallery,” and will be officially dedicated in her honor next month.
Paige’s special mix of humor and quick wit, her adventurous spirit, and her kind heart are traits that were obvious to all who knew her and interacted with her. She was an exceptional sister and daughter, providing the “glue” that held her family together by honoring old traditions and creating new ones. She was fiercely independent, and endlessly gave more than she received. Her laughter, spirit, and style will be her lasting legacy to those she was close.
Paige was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Steven Thomas. She is survived by her mother, Cheryl Thomas-Miller and husband, Mr. Jerry Miller; her grandparents, Babe and Dale Thomas of Clay Center; her siblings mentioned above; niece Maeve Sojka and nephews Thomas and Jude Sojka, Steven, Vincent and Stein Thomas and Livingston and Wyatt Parrish.
A memorial service to celebrate the special life of Paige Thomas will be held this Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in York. Metz Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Paige’s honor go to the Red Cross of Central New York. Address: American Red Cross Central New York Region, 344 West Genesee Street, Syracuse NY 13202.
Please write “In honor of Paige Thomas” in the memo line, and the funds will be earmarked for youth activities and their volunteer recognition activities, two of Paige’s favorite programs.